Lasting machine



Nov.` 6, 1945.

C. A. ROBINSON LASTING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1944 irre- Lew-g during a portion of the lasting operation, this closed iniLettersPatent o. 2,371,146,grantedy on March 13, 1945,"on an application of PJ'E.

Burby. In Fig. l the retarder is shown as it.Y

starts to release the margin of the upper jus't'A Y after the wipers have begun their movementsto',ii`Y

wipe the upper inwardly over the inso1e.,

For positioning a shoe in properrelationtoithe against the inward pressure of the wipers,'such a machine, as hereinabove explained, has beer'ipro- Y '15,. wipers and for supporting the lip of thefinso'le,

vided heretofore with a plate formed to engage.,

the inner face of the lip of the insole about the end'and along the sides of the toe and also to engage the'bottom vface of the insole adjacent to the lip. Such a plate has been detachably supported on the lower end of a rod corresponding to the rod 6 herein shown, to ipermitdifferent plates to be substituted for right and'left shoes and for shoes of diiferent'sizes and styles. The shoe has been clamped against the plate by a toe rest 8 movable upwardly at the beginning of the power operation of the machine'. y Instead of such a plate, there is-herein shown, for purposes of the presenty invention, a'shoe-positioning device indicated generally by the reference character I0, this device comprising a pair of shoepositioning -members I2 adjustably movable relatively to each othery in directionjwidtnwise of the shoe for shoes of different sizes. Each of the members I2 has a central web I4 arranged to be clamped against the 'lower face of a holderk IE by an underlying clamp I8, ashereinafter more fully explained, to hold the member in adjusted position. Extending in opposite directions re. spectively `from the web` I4 of each vmemberare flanges 28, Vthese flanges being so formed that when the members Yare 'positioned asshownV the I lower flanges will engage and conform substantially to the contour of the inner face-of the lip of the insole of o'neshoe` of a pair and whenpthe members are inverted and voccupy, reversed positions widthwiseV of the-holder I6 the other anges will engage and similarlyconform substantially to the contour of the lip of theother shoe of the pair. For the purpose of such inversion the members may be withdrawn from between the'holder and the clamp I8 when released by the clamp, and then inserted in the proper positions again to be secured by the clamp. To guide them when they are thusinserted and to determine their proper positions relatively to each other lengthwise of the shoe, there are provided two pins \22, one foreach member, arranged to extend downwardly from the' holder I6 into open slots 24 in the webs I4. In addition to their curvature to conform substantially to the contour of the inner face of the lip,'theY flanges are also curved lengthwise of the lip on their insole-engaging edges rto .conformV at, leastA approximately to the convex curvature ofthe bottomv of the forepart of the shoe in operating on shoes of styles having such bottom curvature. The edges ofthe anges are, moreover, beveled widthwise to facilitateengagement of the flanges with the insoleclose to'the base of the lip.

f.It will be evident that-the pin-.and-slot connections between the.members I2` and the holder I6 permit the members to be adjusted not only bodily in directions widthwise of a, shoe, but also angularly, i. e., by swinging movements about axes extending heightwise of the shoe, to positions required by diiferent shoes. It is contemplated that the members will thus be moved in outward directions to positions determined by t lf 1;ei,r` =engagement with rthe `lip `of theA insole of ay sho'eiofa-sze and style 'on which the machine is to 'operateupon the presentation of such a shoe to the machine, after which they will be Ysecured in the positions thus determined for use 1 on a; plurality of shoes of that size and style.

For thust adjusting the members there are providedgtwogcams; and 28 interposed between lthem 'inf d'ffere'ntlocations respectively lengthwise ofthe shoe, the cam 26 having a pair of projections 30" arranged to engage the inner edges ofthe webs I4 in locations comparatively remote from the end of the toe and the cam 28 havingvprojections 32 arranged to engage the edges` ofi/the Webs in locations` nearer the end of the toe. Upwardly extending k'stems on the cams-are mounted to turn4 in bearings in the holder I I5 andhave pinions 3d formed thereon, the pinion associated with the cam 28 being engagedy by teeth formed on a rack bar- 36 and the otherpinion being engaged by teeth formed on a rack .bar 38. The two racks bars are movable lengthwise in the holder I6, and in the construction herein shown are each controlled by a separate spring 48 connected at one end to a pin 42 thereon andat the-other end to the holder I6. Itwill be seen that the springs thus tend to move the rack b-ars in the directions to cause the cams 26 and`28 toimpart outward movementsto the shoe-positioning members I2. If it beY assumed, therefore, `that the Vmembers are nearer together than required by a shoe presented to 'the machine, the springs 4D will, upon release of the `members by the clamp I8, cause the cams to force them outwardvequal distances tothe positions-determined by the lip of the insole, each ,cam being operated independently of the other to eifectsuch angular adjustment of the membersas may-be required. Prior to such adjustment ot the memberstothe rst shoe of av given size and s tyle the operator will, if the members are not already nearer together than required by s uch a shoe, move them inwardly by hand after releasing them from the pressure of the clamp I8, the rack vbars 36 and 38 being moved in outward directions against the resistance of the springs 4D. He will then secure the members in their inner positions by the clamp before presenting the shoe in position for the members to betadjus'ted to it in the manner above described. It will be understood that since the opposite members, whenever thus adjusted, are moved outwardequal distances by the cams, they assume such positions that the lip of the insole at the sides of the toe will be in proper relation to the edges of the wipers appropriate for the given style and size ofshoe when the wipers are closed to positions for pressing the margin of the upper against the lip.

The previously mentioned clamp I8, which is a plate-like member extending under portions of the webs I4, has an upwardly extending stem 44 movable upwardly and downwardly in a socket in theholder I6 and having in its upper end a bearing in which is mounted an eccentric 46 fast on a shaft 48. Mounted also on this shaft in such manner asi-.o permit the shaft to turn relativelyto them are bushings@ located resizes.

spectively at opposite sides of the `eccentric 46 in recesses in the holder i6 which `are of slightly larger diameter than the bushings to1 allow for some play..y These bushings are arranged to engage fiat faces 52 (Fig. 5). formed on the rackbars 36 and 38'.' Fast on one end of the shaft 48 azhandle '54 for turningit. Itlwill thus be movementsfoi .the members t2 in response to -the pressure applied to' the lip oi the 'insole Aby 'the wipers. "ing position of the eccentric mi isapproximately "its uppermost position, so that theparts will remain'locked "without the'necessity `for any addi- It will be understood that the locktional means to prevent reverse movement of the shaft 48. 1

Since the manner ofusefo the illustrative em- 35 bodiment of the invention will be full-y lunderstoodr from the foregoing description, no vfurther explanation thereof is necessary. f i

vHaving described' the invention, what` I as new and desire to secursby of the United' States ist.` f

I. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portioir'of an upper about the toe end of a `last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioningl the shoe! relatively; to said lasting means-said shoe-positioning means comprising' a pair of shoe-positioning 'members arranged to engage the vinner l:face-"of the lipfof claim the insole at the opposite sides of the toe' respec= tively to determine Y* the* position of the shoe laterally and adjustable relatively toeach otherin directions widthwise 'of the shoe, and rotatable means interposed between said membersfformoving them bodily outward to differenti lip-exigera the lip of the insole at theoppositc sides of the toe respectively to determine the position Aof the shoelaterally and adjustable relatively toy each other in directions widthwise of the shoe, a holder opposite the bottom of the ,shoe for rsupporting said members. and cam means on ysaid holder for moving the members outwardly, to ,different lipengaging positions required by shoesofdiiierent `3. In a lasting machine, thecombination vwith means for lasting" the marginal portionfof an' Letters Patent 40 upper alnmtthe` toe end f 'ai last! inwardly over an insole: 'on the last andagainsta lip on the insole, of meanszior'zpositionmg the shoe relatively toi said `lasting means; said shoe-positioning ,means comprisingA a pair of Ashoe-positioning members arrangedfto engage the inner facefof the lip of` thezfinsole, at the opposite sides of the ltoe` respectivelyV to detr'erminey the position of the -shoel-aterally and adjustable relatively tol each other in directions' widthwise of the shoe, 'and bam; means located `betweensaid members for :moving them-'equal distances outwardly to dif- `ferent lip-engagingpositi'onsf required by shoes of -diiferentsizes. l A l l 15 4.` I'n a lasting machine; the. combination with Ymeans orxlasting-,the marginal portionof an about `the toe end of alast` inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, ofA means for positioning the shoe relatively 20 Yto said lastingmeanssaid shoe-positioning means Vcomprising'a';` pair of tShoapositioning members arranged tdengage the inner face of the lipf of the insole4 atthe opposite. sides of the toe respectively and adjustable relatively to each other both 25 Kbodily and angularly in directions `widtllwise of the 0shoe,ar1d devices movable independently of each other and arranged to act respectivelyon portions ofsaid' members located at different .distances` from theend of the toe thus to adjust 30mm.: f t f "5'. In a lasting machma'thewcombination with "means for lasting the marginal portion of an upperabout the'toe end' of allast'inwardly over aninsole` on the last and against a lip on the in- "sole, of means` tor positioningrthe shoe relatively tosaid lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members :arranged to'engage-theinner face of the lipof Athe insblewat the opposite sides of the toe respectively and vadjustable relativelyY to eachother rboth; bodily and angularly in directions widthwise *of the slice, and cams arranged to act on said members-indifferentlocations lengthwise of the shoerespectivelyfor moving them outwardly to differenti lip-engaging positions required by shoes of different sizes. l 1

6. In a lasting machine, the `conlbinationwith means' foi-'lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe' end of a last inwardly over an insole 'on the last andagainst' a lip `on the insole, of means: for positioning the shoe relatively -to rsaid lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair 4of"shoe-positioning 1 members arranged to engage the inner face of "D the lipu ofthe insoleat the opposite sides of the "toe respectively andfadjustable relatively to each `other indirectionswidthwiseof the shoe, a holder -opposi'te `Vthe bottom of the shoe for supporting said members,'devices rotatable on said holder for l thus adjusting the 4members, i pinions rotatable with saidgdevices, and rack bars on the holder engaging said pinions'for' operating them. y 7'. lnalasting machine, the combination with 6meansror lasting the marginal portion of an ripper about thetoe end of alast inwardly over an insole onf the'lastandagainst a lip on the insole, of means f'orpositior'u'ngthe `shoe relatively Ato Said' lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising" a A pair of shoe-positioning (0 members arranged toengagethe inner face of ""tlie lip of ythe "insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and' 'adjustablerelatively to each Oth'er'directibns v vidtl'lwse'l of the Asl'ioe,lrotat ablcam-s'interposed between'said members for moving" themoutwardly todifferent ylip-engaging ing means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the Vinner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively, a holder'supporting said members and having pin-and-slot connections therewith to 'guide the membersfor bodily adjustments in directions widthwise of the shoe while permitting them also to swing about axes extending heightwise of the shoe, and means on said holder for moving said members'both bodilyY and angularly in outward directions to diierent lip-engagingA positions required by shoes of different sizes.

9. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upperabo'ut the toe end'of a last inwardly over an insole on the last andagainst a lipon the insole, Y'

of Vmeans forVV positioning the' shoe relativelyv to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the lip lengthwise ofthe latter, said members being adjustable relatively to each other in directions widthwise' of the shoe for shoesv of different sizes, Yand means movable to securethe members in adjusted r'elation after they have thus beenadjus'ted.

i In alasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion Aof an upper about the toe endof a last inwardly over an insole on the last and againsta lip on the insole, Vof means for positioning the shoe Yrelatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of' shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face ofthe lip'of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and shaped to'conform substantially to the contour of the lip lengthwiseof the latter, saidmembers being adjustable relatively to each other in directions widthwise" of theshoe for rshoes of different sizes, a holdersupporting said members, and means movable to'clamp the members against said holder to secure them in adjusted relation.

' l1. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioning the 'shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and shaped to conform substantially to the contour ofthe lip lengthwise of the latter, said members being bodily adjustable relatively to each other in directions widthwise of the shoe for shoes of different sizes, a holder supporting said members, a clamping device movable to clamp the members against said holder to secure them in adjusted relation, and an eccentric on the holder for thus operating said clamping device.

l2* In a lasting machine, the combination with mean`s for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means 'for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioningmembers arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and adjustable relatively to each other in directions widthwise of the shoe for shoes of different sizes, means for thus adjusting said members, and means movable to secure said members in adjusted relation by frictional engagement both with the members and with said adjusting means.

13. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the shoe respectively and adjustable relatively to each other in directions widthwise or the shoe for shoes of different sizes, a holder opposite the bottom of the shoe for supporting said members, means on said holder for thus adjusting the members, a clamping device movable to clamp the members against said holder to maintain them in adjusted positions, a member for operating said clamping device, and additional means arranged to be operated .by said member to lock said adjusting means against movement.

14.V In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end'of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and adjustable relatively to each other indirections widthwise ofthe shoeV for shoes of different sizes, a holder opposite the bottom of the shoe for supporting said members, devices rotatable on said holder for thus adjusting the members, pinions rotatable with said devices, rack bars on the holder engaging said pinions for operating them, and means movable to clamp the members against said holder and also to lock said rack bars frictionally against movement to maintain the members in adjusted positions.

15. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning `means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and adjustably movable relatively7 to each other in directions widthwise of the shoe lto positions Vrequired by shoes of dierent sizes, spring means for thus moving said members outto said lasting means said` shoefpositionins l means comprising a pair oi. v -shoevpositioning members arranged to engage the inner iace of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides knf the toe respectively and adjustably-:movable krelatively to each otheriboth bodily and angularly Aindirections widthwise of the shoe to positions required by shoes of differentsizesl spring-operated devices movable independently cf each other and arranged to act respectively on portions of said members located at different distances from the end of the toe thus to move them outwardly to positions determined by their engagement with the lip of the insole of a shoe presented to the machine, and means for securing the members in the positions thus determined for use on a plurality of shoes.

17. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of means for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means, said shoe-positioning means comprising a pair of shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and adjustably movable relatdinvely to each other both bodily and angularly in directions widthwise of the shoe to positions required by shoes of diierent sizes, rotatable cams arranged to act on said members in different locations lengthwise of the shoe respectively to move them outwardly to positions determined by their engagement with the lip of the insole of a shoe presented to the machine, pinions rotatable withl said cams, rack bars engaging said pinions to operate them, spring means for operating the n rack bars thus to move the members outwardly,

and means for securing the members in the positions thus determined for use on a plurality of shoes.

18. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of a pair of members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole along the ..2 ,zaingalastine machinemlieombinatign with mefnfl lStmgihe malglltliiQIE-toll upper about the toe end of adast inwardly over an insole on the .lint and, against a. lip 01.1: the insole, cra pair A.ofmembers arranged to engage 4the. inner face of; thel ,lip of the insole along the appetite ...Sides 0f `the to@ -issreftirslr i@ :Suppen ,thallia against thasressure efyltlseilastinsfmesa a holder' supporting `said members and lrelative ly to which they are adjustably movable in different directions respectively to positions required by shoes of diierent sizes, and means movable to clamp the members against said holder to prevent their displacement by the pressure of the lasting means on the lip of the insole.

2l. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of a pair of members arranged to engage the ner face of the lip of the insole along xthe opposite sides of the toe respectively to support the lip against the pressure of the lasting means, a

holder opposite the bottom of the shoe for supporting said members, means for maintaining said holder in a fixed position as successive shoes insole of the other shoe of a pair when the deopposite sides of the toe respectively to support the lip against the pressure of the lasting means, spring means for moving said members relatively to each other to positions determined by their engagement with the lip of the insole of a shoe presented to the machine, and additional means for preventing displacement of the members from the positions thus determined in response to the pressure of the lasting means on the lip of the insole in the operation of the machine thereafter on a plurality of shoes.

19. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of a pair of members arranged to engage the inner face of the lip of the insole along the opposite sides of the toe respectively to support the lip against the pressure of the lasting means, means for moving said members relatively to each other both bodily and angularly widthwise of a shoe presented to the machine to positions determined by their engagement with the lip of the insole, and means movable to secure the members against displacement from the positions thus determined in response to the pressure of the lastare presented to the machine, and rotatable cam means on the holder between said members for moving them outwardly to different adjusted positions.

22. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of a device for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means by engaging the inner face of the lip of the insole around the toe and by engaging also the bottom face of the insole adjacent to the lip, said device having a flange portion arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe thus to engage the insole and having also another flange portion. for similarly engaging the vice is inverted.

23. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the last and against a lip on the insole, of a device for positioning the shoe relatively to said lasting means by engaging the inner face of the lip of the insoleparound the toe and by engaging also the bottom face of the insole adja-y cent to the lip, said device having a flange portion arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe thus to engage the insole and having also another flange portion for similarly engaging the insole of the other shoe of a pair when the device is inverted, the edge of each of said flange portions being curved lengthwise to conform substantially to the curvature of the bottom of the shoe and being beveled widthwise" to insure 'contact with the insole at the base of the lip.

24. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lasting the marginal portion of an upper about the toe end of a last inwardly over an insole on the the last and against a lip on the insole, of a device for positioning the shoe relatively .to said lasting means by engaging the inner face of the lip of the insole around the toe and by engaging also the `bottom face of the insole adjacent to the lip, said device having a ange portion arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe thus to engage the insole and' having also another iiange portion for similarly engaging the insole of the other shoe of a pair when 25. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for lastingY the marginalportion of an 5 upper about the'toe end ofa. last inwardly over an insole on the last and against-l a lip on the insole, of a device for supporting said lip against the pressure of the lasting means by engaging A the inner face ofthe lip, said device having a centralweb portion and flanges-extending in opposite directions-from said web? portion for thus supporting the lips of the inscles of right and left shoes respectively, the device furtherscomprising two parts relatively adjustable widthwise ofashoe. 'A

CHARLES A. ROBINSON; 

